Vermistabilization and nutrient enhancement of anaerobic digestate through earthworm species Perionyx excavatus and Perionyx sansibaricus

The aim of the study was to examine safe reuse and recycling of organic waste digestate obtained from a biogas plant (5 % total solid) with enhanced nutrient value through vermitechnology. Two indigenous epigeic earthworm species Perionyx excavates and Perionyx sansibaricus were tried individually for this purpose. The results clearly show a significant increase in pH values from 6.5–7.4, electrical conductivity (21.3–21.7 %), total N (84.5–94.6 %), total P (35.9–47.1 %), total K (49.8–52.6 %), Ca (41.9–41.9 %) and a significant decrease in total organic C (17.1–22.4 %), C/N ratio (7.2–6.9), C/P ratio (20.3–20.6), COD (51.9–55.7 %), BOD (85.5–91.2 %). Similarly, indicator organisms (fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci) showed decrement at the end of the composting period (60 days). Fecal Coliforms reduce to nil, while in fecal streptococci a 6 log reduction was observed. Oxygen uptake rate dropped to 67.4–70 % for vermireactors. Overall, the aforementioned findings highlighted that the indigenous earthworm species could enhance the nutrient value of the anaerobic digestate, which could be utilized as an efficient soil conditioner.